Play Like A Girl

Juvenile graphic memoir

     "I wish someone had told me middle school would be so hard.  It might not have changed how everything went down.  But I would have been more prepared."

     No doubt about it.  Middle school 🏫 is a huge change for kids.  Academic responsibilities increase.  The physiological and psychological changes of puberty are kicking in, much more quickly for some kids than for others.  And new social expectations can be confusing, especially for kids who are different in any way.  Misty Wilson's Play Like A Girl is her memoir of her often frustrating and bewildering seventh grade experiences.

     Misty was a big time football fan.  "It has strategy, teamwork, and best of all, you get to tackle.  In other sports I get in trouble for barely touching people."  So when her male friends, who are getting ready to try out, tell her that football isn't for girls she sets out to prove them wrong.  Challenges abound from the grueling nature of the practices to the resentment of some of her peers when she makes the team.

     Misty's best friend, Bree, is with her on the field at first, but quickly loses interest and eventually drops out.  She spends more time with Ava.  Whenever Misty joins them they gang up on her relentlessly.

     Kids going through a less than idyllic middle school experience will benefit from the real life experiences of a survivor.

On a purrrsonal note, it's a scorching end to the school and work week.  I'm looking forward to retiring to my outside reading 📚 chair with a popsicle and a good book after supper.  And I'm super looking forward to Sunday.  I'll get to see all my kids.  We're celebrating 🍾 Fathers Day Late with a barbeque.  (Jules)

It is much too 🔥 hot.  Will the scientists please do something about climate change for those of us who wear fur coats 24/7?  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to you, our readers, with best wishes for a super weekend.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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